Refrigerating apparatus



April 16, 1935. c, F HENNEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS FiI Led April 25,1931 av/A :lNVENTOR 4 ATTORNEYS ill) Patented-"r. 16, 1935 REFRIGERATWGPfii'lllUS Eliarles lF. Henney, Dayton, Uhiic, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors florporation, a corporation ofDelaware Application ilipll'iil 25, 119311., Seriall No. 532,8'3ll I tIlia.

Thisinvention relates to refrigerating appara- I tus and moreparticularly to an improved refrigerating element for a commercialrefrigerator cabinet. 1 V

In the present types of commercial refrigerator display cabinets for thestorage and display of meats and other foods there are a number of objectionable features. In all of the present types the cooling units arediflficult and in most cases almost impossible to wash and keep cleanand sanitary. There are two general types of cooling means in generaluse, one type in which the cooling units extend horizontally beneath atleast I some or all of the shelves, and the other type in which thecooling units,'usually of the ordinary multiple finned type, are placedat either end of the cabinet.

. In the first mentioned type, it is necessary toplace drip pans beneaththe cooling units and.

I for eating. In this type of cooling means the cooling unit isordinarily unsightly, takes space above and below the shelves, and alsodecreases the visibility of the articles displayed upon the shelves. I

In the second mentioned type the drip pans adjacent the shelves and theattending difficulties thereof are avoided, but other diflicultiespresent themselves. In this arrangement the cooling units take upvaluable space at the end .of the cabinet. Furthermore the temperaturein different parts of the cabinet and on various shelvesvaries'betweenundesirably wide limits. Relatively rapid convection currents are alsoset up which withdraw moisture from the meat or other food upon'theshelves. These convection currents are set up by the cooling units whichmust be'kept at a temperature considerably below the temperature of theair confined within the cabinets-to maintain a sufficient rate ofconvction to satisfy the minimum cooling requirements in the parts ofthe cabinet remote from the cooling units. This relatively hightemperature differential tends to reduce the overall efficiency of therefrigeration and in addition the moisture in the air collects as frostupon the cooling unit and lowers the eficiency thereof.

Accordingly one of the objects of the invention is to provide animproved cooling unit for a commercial refrigerator cabinet having alarge amount of surface area to reduce the amount of moisture withdrawnfrom the food stored within the cabinet and having an improvedtype ofcooling element positioned in such a relation with the cabinet and theshelves so as to localize cir-= culation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cooling unit having anattractive appearance, increased visibility, and constructed so as totake up a minimum amount of useful cabinet space.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cooling unitwhich can be easily washed and kept clean, and to be as sanitary aspossible.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawing:

Fig, l is'a sectional view along the line i-i of Fig. 2 of a commercialrefrigerator display -cabinet disclosing an embodiment of the improvedcooling unit together with a diagrammatic illustration of the remainingelements of a compression refrigerating system; I

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view along the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View along the line 3-35 of Fig. 4 showing aslightly modified form of the cooling unit embodying the invention;

Fig; 4 is a sectional view along the line t& of Fig. 3;

Fi 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of plate type coolingelement for the cooling unit shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a. fragmentary side view of the modified form of plate typecooling element shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1 for illustrative purposes there is shown diagrammatically acompression refrigerating system including a compressor 2| forcompressing a refrigerant and for forwarding it through the conduit 22to the condenser 23 where the refrigerant is. liquefied and is collectedin the receiver 24. The liquefied refrigerant collected in the receiver24 is forwarded through the conduit 25 to the float chamber 26 of thecooling unit 21 the ordinary sloping front type having a window 34 atthe front and a plurality of doors and 36 at the rear. The liquidrefrigerant supplied to the float chamber 26 vaporizes in the coolingunit 21 because of the heat absorbed from the interior of the cabinet 28and this vaporized refrigerant is returned from the float chamber 26through the conduit 29 to the compressor 2|. An electric motor 36 isconnected by pulley and belt means 3| to the compressor for driving thecompressor 2|. A pressure responsive switch means 32 is preferablyconnected to the return conduit 29 to provide intermittent operating andidle periods of the compressor according to the pressure andconsequently the temperatureof the cooling unit 21. The float chamber 26contains a float ball 33 for regulating the supply of liquid refrigerantcoming from the supply conduit 25 so as to maintain a certain level ofrefrigerant within the float chamber 26. Because of the partialsolubility of the lubricant for the compressor in the liquid refrigerantand because the liquid refrigerant is heavier than the lubricant, ablanket of lubricant 34 floats upon the liquid refrigerant in the floatchamber 26.

The main cooling portion of the cooling unit consists of a plurality ofplate type cooling elements 31, 38 and 39. Each of these coolingelements have a header at their upper and lower ends which are connectedby a plurality of refrigerant ducts situated in a single plane. Theupper headers of the plate type cooling elements 31, 38 and 39 aredesignated by reference characters 40, 4| and 42 and the lower headersare designated by 43, 44 and 45. In each of the plate type coolingelements a sheet metal plate is soldered or bonded to the refrigerantducts con- 'necting the upper and lower headers, making a unitary platetype cooling element having a large conducting surface. The plate typecooling elements 31, 38 and 39 are supported in a verti al position andtransversely of the cabinets 28 y brackets 46, 41 and 48 which arefastened to the top of the cabinet 28. These plate type cooling elements31, 38 and 39 therefore divide the cabinet 28 into four main coolingchambers .wor zones 49, 50, 5| and 52.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shelves 53 and 54 are supportedbetween the cooling elements 31 and 38 by brackets 55 which are fastenedin proper positions to-the cooling elements 31 and 38. Similar shelvesand brackets are provided between the cooling elements 38 and 39 andalso between the cooling element 31 and the adjacent end of the cabinet28. seen that the ordinary shelf supports are eliminated and the thinplate-type cooling elements take the place thereof. Thus the spaceordinarily occupied by the cooling unit is released for displaypurposes. A liquid conduit 60 extends downwardly fromthe bottom of thefloat chamber 26 and connects to the lower header 45 for supplyingliquid refrigerant to the cooling element 39. A second liquid conduit 6|conducts liquid refrigerant from the lower header 45 of the coolingelement 39 to the lower header 44 for supplying refrigerant to thecooling element 38. A third liquid conduit 62 conducts liquidrefrigerant from the header 44 to the lower header 43 for supplying thecooling element 38 with liquid refrigerant. A plurality of upperconnecting conduits 63 conduct; vaporized refrigerant from the upperheader 4!] of the cooling element 31 to the upper header 4| of thecooling element 38 while a plurality of upper connecting conduits Itwill thus be 64 conduct vaporized refrigerant from the upper header 4|of the cooling element 38 to the upper header 42 of the cooling element39. The upper header 42 of the cooling element 39 is connected by aplurality of couplings 65 to the float chamber 26, preferably above thelevel of liquid refrigerant and preferably at the level of the oilblanket 34 in the float chamber. With this construction, the gaseousrefrigerant carries some of lubricant in the blanket of lubricant alongwith it back to the compressor. In this manner, the blanket of lubricantis prevented from becoming excessively thick and heavy. In order tominimize the returning of liquid refrigerant to the float chamber 26from the cooling elements 31, 38 and 39, fins 66 and 61 are providedupon connecting conduits 63 and 64 as well as the couplings 65. Thesefins cause a greater amount of heat to be absorbed by these upperconnecting conduits so that any liquid refrigerant passing therethroughwill vaporize. The float chamber 26 is supported by a bracket 68fastened to the top of the cabinet 28.

In my improved cooling unit an excellent circulation is maintained. Thecold liquid refrigerant passes downwardly from the bottom of the floatchamber 26 through the conduit 60 and feeds the lower headers of thecooling elements 31, 38 and 39. The cooling elements absorb heat fromthe air within the cabinet and from the shelves 53 and 54, causing theliquid refrigerant within the connecting ducts of each cooling orrefrigerating element to vaporize and pass upwardly to the upper headerswhere the vaporized refrigerant separates from the liquid refrigerantand is conducted through the upper connecting conduits back to the floatchamber 26 from which point it is returned to the compressor through thereturn conduit 29.

A novel feature of my improved cooling unit is the provision of the setsof individual drip pans 10 and 1| which are placed directly beneath theconnecting conduits 63 and 64 to collect any moisture which might driptherefrom. These individual drip pans are narrow and allow circulationof the air within the cabinet over the connecting conduits. The drippans 10 and 1| are sloped so as to allow the drip to drop to the bottomof the cabinet at one end of the drip pan close to the edge of the shelfadjacent a cooling element so that the drip will not drop upon any foodwhich may be placed on the shelves. Any moisture which collects upon theplate-type cooling elements will run down the cooling elements and dropto the bottom of the cabinet. The bottom of the cabinet is preferablyprovided with a collecting basin and drain.

In my improved arrangement the evaporating or withdrawing of moisturefrom the food stored in the cabinet is minimized because of the largesurface area of the plate type cooling elements and because thecirculating within the refrigerator cabinet is restricted to a pluralityof small cooling zones or chambers. In addition the cooling elements 31,38 and 39 acting as partitions, the shelves 53 and 54, when food isplaced thereon, also act as partitions. By employing small coolingchambers or zones all parts of the cabinet may be properly cooled withlittle differences in temperature and without rapid convection currents.Consequently the withdrawal of moisture from the meat or other food isminimized and frosting of the different parts of the cooling unitprevented entirely or greatly reduced.

It is evident that the shelves may be removed and with the coolingelements,'as well as the interior of the cabinet, be washed withcomparative ease.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the cabinet 80 is shownhaving a cooling unit provided with a plurality of plate type coolingelements 8| similar to the cooling elements shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Thiscooling unit is provided with a float chamber 82 supported from the topof the cabinet 80. The upper headers 83 of the plate typecooling-elements 8| are connected to the float chamber 82 by individualconduits 84 instead of being connected in a parallel series arrangementas in Figs. 1 and 2. The liquid conduit 85 for supplying the coolingelements 8! depends from the float chamber 82 and connects to the lowerheader of the plate elements 8! in a manner similar to that shown inFigs. 1 and 2. This modification illustrates the flexibility of thistype of cooling element. These plate type cooling elements may also beused with a direct expansion refrigerating system.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a plate type cooling element 90 is shown in which theupper and lower headers 90 and 92 as well as the connecting refrigerantducts 93 are formed of two sheets of metal 9t and 95 which are formed tothe proper configuration by a stamping operation and Welded together toform the cooling element. This cooling element is preferably coated withporcelain or t other suitable finish in order to present an attractiveappearance. This cooling element, if desired, may be substituted for thecooling elements 3?, 38 and 39 which are shown in Fig. l or the coolingelements 8! in Fig. 2.

While the form' of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a commercial refrigerator, an insulated cabinet, a float chamberin the cabinet, a plurality of individual plate type refrigeratingelements individually supported by the cabinet in vertical positions andin widely spaced horizontal relation within the cabinet to divide thecabinet into a plurality of distinct cooling chain-- bers, a conduitconnecting the lower portion of the float chamber with the lower portionof said plate type refrigerating elements for supplying said elementswith liquid refrigerant, and a plurality of conduits connecting theupper portion of said cooling elements with the float chamber forconducting refrigerant from saidelements.

2IIn a commercial refrigerator, an insulated cabinet, a float chamber inthe cabinet, a plurality of plate type refrigerating elementssupported'vertically in spaced relation within the cabinet to divide thecabinet intoa plurality of cooling chambers, a conduit connecting the.

, lower portion of the float chamber with the lower portion of saidplate type refrigerating eleliquid refrigerant-through said floatchamber through said conduits.

3. In a commercial refrigerator, an insulated cabinet, a float chamberin the cabinet, a plurality of plate type refrigerating elementssupported vertically in horizontal spaced relation within the cabinet todivide the cabinet into a plurality of cooling chambers, a conduitconnecting the lower portion of the float chamber. with the lowerportion of said' plate type refrigerating elements for supplying saidelements with liquid refrigerant, a plurality of conduits connecting theupper portions of said cooling elements with the float chamber forconducting refrigerant from said elements, and individual drip pans foreach of said last mentioned conduits for catching the drip from saidconduits.

4. In a commercial refrigerator, an insulated cabinet, a float chamberin the cabinet, a plurality of individual plate type refrigeratingelements individually supported by the cabinet in vertical positions andin widely spaced horizontal relation withi the cabinet to divide thecabinet into a plurality of distinct-cooling chambers, a conduitconnecting the lower portion of the float chamber with the lowerportions of said plate type refrigerating elements for supplying saidelements with liquid refrigerant, and a plurality of individual conduitsindividually connecting each of the upper portions of said'coolingelements with the float chamber for conducting refrigerant from saidelements.

5. In a display case refrigerator a cabinet having a compartment to bekept cool, a plurality of individual plate type cooling elements havingan impervious wall, said elements being individually supported by thecabinet in a vertical plane, and arranged transversely in widely spacedrelation in said compartment to divide said compartment into a pluralityof distinct chilling chamberameans for storing food within said chillingchambers between said cooling elements, common means for supplyingrefrigerant to the lower portions of said plate type cooling elementsand for withdrawing refrigerant from the upper portions of said platetype cooling elements.

6. In a display case refrigerator, a cabinet having a compartment to bekept cool, aplurality of individual plate type cooling elements havingan impervious wall, said elements being individually supported by thecabinet in vertical positions, and arranged in widely spaced horizontalrelation in said compartment todivide said compartment into a pluralityof chilling chambers, said cooling elements having a header at theirlower end, a header at the upper end and a plurality of connectingrefrigerant passages formed therein, and means for supplying refrigerantto the lower header and for withdrawing refrigerant from the upperheader of said cooling elements. 4

'7. Refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet having a compartment tobe cooled, a plurality ofindividual plate type cooling elements havingimpervious walls, said cooling elements being vertically disposed andhorizontally spaced in said compartment to divide the compartment into aplurality of distinct chilling chambers, means for storing food withinsaid chilling chambers between said cooling elements, common means forsupplying refrigerant to the lower portion of each of said plate typecooling elements and for withdrawing refrigerant from the upper portionof each .of said plate type cooling elements.

. CHARLES F. HENNEY.

